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Standing Ovation is a comedy film about an actor, his dreams, and his decent into madness. This short film provides the opportunity to share with an audience a deep rooted feeling of hopelessness, with a tragically comedic spin. A hopeful children’s TV star wants to be a real actor, but is driven into a mental breakdown by children, a parrot costume, and the realization of his insecurities for the future
The Story:
Standing Ovation is short film that uses comedy to explore and relate a deep rooted feeling of hopelessness and settlement. The film uses a children's TV show as a setting to touch on themes of hopelessness, desire, conformity, insecurity and loss.
The film follows Brian, who mascots a parrot for a children's tv program called Sven and Scalawags. Brain has dreams of being a "real actor", but is driven into a comedically tragic breakdown when his dreams are crushed, and he forced to realize his insecurities. This leads Brian into a state of mania and ultimately despair.
Director's Statement:
Over the years I have completely fallen in love with film making. Film making for me has been a beautiful instrument that has the ability to inspire and incite emotion to an audience through story telling.
I realized my passion for film making and decided to spend these past four years building a network of collaborators and honing my craft in order to make films that can provoke emotion, inspire, and offer viewers a sense of relatability.
I am now a senior at The Cleveland State University's School of Film and Media Arts, and have begun preparation on my senior thesis film Standing Ovation. Over the years I have helped create multiple, award winning, short films mainly in the role of producer. This year I plan on using Standing Ovation as an opportunity to showcase my vision through a directorial debut.
Standing Ovation is a slightly absurd comedy, but will allow an audience to experience and explore themes of dreams, hopelessness, and insecurity for the future. Emotions that can relate and have been felt by a lot of people in the film industry, as wells as, in all walks of life.
My hopes are that this film will serve as a springboard for the careers of myself and my senior collaborators, and serve as an inspiration and starting point for my collaborators who have just begun their journey through film school.
I am excited to see what this opportunity has in store, and I know with your help we can create something memorable!
Thank you,
Heather Habermehl
The Script:
A sample of the beginning of Brain's meltdown
Why We Need Your Help:
It takes a lot of time and money to make a film.
Elaborate set pieces , equipment rentals, transportation costs, props, wardrobe/make-up, music composition, and craft services and catering--things quickly add up. Not to mention, we'd love to be able to pay our very talented cast and crew for their invaluable efforts.
Crazy, right? It's also expensive.
As you can see from the chart above, a lot of the money needed will go towards our set design. This film requires us to build an entire children's show backdrop, as well as some detailed set pieces, so funding is crucial.
But you are in luck!
Filmmaking is an incredibly collaborative medium, and, if you feel so inclined, you are able to collaborate with us without ever having to step onto the set.
So, what can you do to help out?
Pledge $10 or more:
A handwritten "thank you" card from the producer and director--we are grateful for your donation!
Pledge $20 or more:
A custom Standing Ovation button--put it on a sweater or put it on a bag!
Pledge $50 or more:
A copy of the script, signed by the cast and crew--who knows, it might be worth something one day!
Pledge $100 or more:
A "special thanks" in the credits--we couldn't have done it without you!
Pledge $250 or more:
Behind-the-scenes photos and bloopers reel--watch us make fools of ourselves!
Pledge $500 or more:
"Executive producer" credit--watch your name crawl by at the top of the credits
Pledge $1,000 or more:
A private viewing of the rough cut--sent to you through your email!
The Team:
Director/ Producer | Heather Habermehl
Heather Habermehl is a fourth-year student at Cleveland State University's School of Film and Media Arts, where she majors in Writing/Producing. She has produced multiple, award-winning films while at Cleveland State and has had the opportunity to work on projects created by actress, Holly Fulger, accomplished cinematographer and director, Michael Goi, A.S.C., and Cleveland natives, the Russo brothers. Heather, along with Eric, is a co-owner of Edson Creek Media, a Cleveland-based production company specializing in narrative and commercial filmmaking. She hopes that Standing Ovation will help to kickstart her career, allowing her to continue to tell stories that she finds important and meaningful.
Director of Photography/ Co-Writer | Eric McGuinn
Eric McGuinn is an award-winning cinematographer, having honed his craft through his work on more than forty short films, numerous music videos, feature-length documentaries, and commercial projects for corporations and organizations throughout the United States. He graduated from Cleveland State University’s School of Film and Media Arts in 2020, with a B.F.A. in Writing and Directing. Eric now lives in Cincinnati, where he is the Director of Videography for an end-to-end growth agency located in the city
Associate Producer | Henry Meaney
Henry Meaney is a recent grad from Cleveland State University with focus in production management. He has had the opportunity to work on a multitude of different short films, in all capacities including acting and directing. He also feels it is imperative to know that he enjoys long walks on the beach and his idea of a perfect date is April 25th, because it's not too hot, not too cold; all you need is a light jacket!
Editor | Jack Niklas
Jack Niklas is Senior at Cleveland State University in the School of Film and Media Arts specializing in Post Production. He has edited multiple action and drama short stories for the university. Jack plans on continuing to work as an editor on films along with VFX and Animation
Co-Writer | Jake Harness
Jake Harness is an award winning writer, director, and actor based in the Greater Cleveland area. With nearly 50 narrative short films, documentaries, and music videos under his belt he has proven to be more than “just okay” at filmmaking. His work, which spans from comedies, dramas, and thrillers, have been viewed internationally as well as around the United States, mainly by his mom and her friends
The Story:
Standing Ovation is short film that uses comedy to explore and relate a deep rooted feeling of hopelessness and settlement. The film uses a children's TV show as a setting to touch on themes of hopelessness, desire, conformity, insecurity and loss.
The film follows Brian, who mascots a parrot for a children's tv program called Sven and Scalawags. Brain has dreams of being a "real actor", but is driven into a comedically tragic breakdown when his dreams are crushed, and he forced to realize his insecurities. This leads Brian into a state of mania and ultimately despair.
Director's Statement:
Over the years I have completely fallen in love with film making. Film making for me has been a beautiful instrument that has the ability to inspire and incite emotion to an audience through story telling.
I realized my passion for film making and decided to spend these past four years building a network of collaborators and honing my craft in order to make films that can provoke emotion, inspire, and offer viewers a sense of relatability.
I am now a senior at The Cleveland State University's School of Film and Media Arts, and have begun preparation on my senior thesis film Standing Ovation. Over the years I have helped create multiple, award winning, short films mainly in the role of producer. This year I plan on using Standing Ovation as an opportunity to showcase my vision through a directorial debut.
Standing Ovation is a slightly absurd comedy, but will allow an audience to experience and explore themes of dreams, hopelessness, and insecurity for the future. Emotions that can relate and have been felt by a lot of people in the film industry, as wells as, in all walks of life.
My hopes are that this film will serve as a springboard for the careers of myself and my senior collaborators, and serve as an inspiration and starting point for my collaborators who have just begun their journey through film school.
I am excited to see what this opportunity has in store, and I know with your help we can create something memorable!
Thank you,
Heather Habermehl
The Script:
A sample of the beginning of Brain's meltdown
Why We Need Your Help:
It takes a lot of time and money to make a film.
Elaborate set pieces , equipment rentals, transportation costs, props, wardrobe/make-up, music composition, and craft services and catering--things quickly add up. Not to mention, we'd love to be able to pay our very talented cast and crew for their invaluable efforts.
Crazy, right? It's also expensive.
As you can see from the chart above, a lot of the money needed will go towards our set design. This film requires us to build an entire children's show backdrop, as well as some detailed set pieces, so funding is crucial.
But you are in luck!
Filmmaking is an incredibly collaborative medium, and, if you feel so inclined, you are able to collaborate with us without ever having to step onto the set.
So, what can you do to help out?
Pledge $10 or more:
A handwritten "thank you" card from the producer and director--we are grateful for your donation!
Pledge $20 or more:
A custom Standing Ovation button--put it on a sweater or put it on a bag!
Pledge $50 or more:
A copy of the script, signed by the cast and crew--who knows, it might be worth something one day!
Pledge $100 or more:
A "special thanks" in the credits--we couldn't have done it without you!
Pledge $250 or more:
Behind-the-scenes photos and bloopers reel--watch us make fools of ourselves!
Pledge $500 or more:
"Executive producer" credit--watch your name crawl by at the top of the credits
Pledge $1,000 or more:
A private viewing of the rough cut--sent to you through your email!
The Team:
Director/ Producer | Heather Habermehl
Heather Habermehl is a fourth-year student at Cleveland State University's School of Film and Media Arts, where she majors in Writing/Producing. She has produced multiple, award-winning films while at Cleveland State and has had the opportunity to work on projects created by actress, Holly Fulger, accomplished cinematographer and director, Michael Goi, A.S.C., and Cleveland natives, the Russo brothers. Heather, along with Eric, is a co-owner of Edson Creek Media, a Cleveland-based production company specializing in narrative and commercial filmmaking. She hopes that Standing Ovation will help to kickstart her career, allowing her to continue to tell stories that she finds important and meaningful.
Director of Photography/ Co-Writer | Eric McGuinn
Eric McGuinn is an award-winning cinematographer, having honed his craft through his work on more than forty short films, numerous music videos, feature-length documentaries, and commercial projects for corporations and organizations throughout the United States. He graduated from Cleveland State University’s School of Film and Media Arts in 2020, with a B.F.A. in Writing and Directing. Eric now lives in Cincinnati, where he is the Director of Videography for an end-to-end growth agency located in the city
Associate Producer | Henry Meaney
Henry Meaney is a recent grad from Cleveland State University with focus in production management. He has had the opportunity to work on a multitude of different short films, in all capacities including acting and directing. He also feels it is imperative to know that he enjoys long walks on the beach and his idea of a perfect date is April 25th, because it's not too hot, not too cold; all you need is a light jacket!
Editor | Jack Niklas
Jack Niklas is Senior at Cleveland State University in the School of Film and Media Arts specializing in Post Production. He has edited multiple action and drama short stories for the university. Jack plans on continuing to work as an editor on films along with VFX and Animation
Co-Writer | Jake Harness
Jake Harness is an award winning writer, director, and actor based in the Greater Cleveland area. With nearly 50 narrative short films, documentaries, and music videos under his belt he has proven to be more than “just okay” at filmmaking. His work, which spans from comedies, dramas, and thrillers, have been viewed internationally as well as around the United States, mainly by his mom and her friends